Best 8 Inland Walleye Lakes Ohio

If you need a change of scenery or can't afford a charter boat or prefer not to use a head boat on Lake Erie you may have decent to excellent walleye action within a much shorter drive. Below are some alternative options.

Findlay Reservoir No. 1 and 2

Findlay reservoirs are located 2.5 miles southeast of Findley in northwestern Ohio, these two reservoirs lie basically side by side. Findlay #1 has good fishing, but No. 2 is better, a big lake that reaches 24 feet in some sections. Anglers have caught walleye here that weigh up to a whopping 10 pounds. Preferred method of fishing is boats with electric motors, live minnows, lead-head jigs and weight forward spinners. Typically, most walleyes are caught where sharp drop-offs occur in the lake. It should also be noted that shore anglers can do well casting at night, dawn, and dusk when walleyes move in close to shore looking for small panfish and crayfish. There are 7.5 miles of shoreline to explore. ODNR LAKE INFO

New London Reservoir

New London Reservoir is another 220-acre reservoir with steep shorelines and depth of 35 feet. Each year it is stocked with about 100 fingerlings per acre. The reservoir has plenty of underwater structure and spawning areas. Walleyes averaging 16 to 25 inches are common. There are plenty of walleye, but it is one of the more difficult lakes to fish. Use a Lindy Rig, a one-ounce slip sinker with a swivel to stop it, then about two feet of line and a No. 6 hook on lines end. Use a head hooked nightcrawler and let it bump bottom fishing with the bail open and your rod tip high. When you feel a bite, drop the rod tip, count 10, then tighten up and strike. ODNR LAKE INFO

Willard Reservoir

Due south of Norwalk and a bit east of Willard is the 215-acre Willard Reservoir. It's a deep reservoir with a depth of 35 feet in some spots. This reservoir has been stocked with walleye fingerlings since 1971. Many consider it the best walleye lake in District Two. A Lindy rig is once again your best chance for success. Typically, the best fishing is at night or twilight when they move in close to shore. ODNR LAKE INFO

Bresler Reservoir

Located four miles west of Lima is the Bresler Reservoir. Bresler Reservoir is 610 acres and receives yearly walleye stockings. Bresler should be fished using the same methods as described for the other reservoirs. ODNR LAKE INFO

Beaver Creek Reservoir

Located in Williams County just southwest of Montpilier Beaver Creek Reservoir is 120 acres. Lead head jigs and live minnows are the favorite method at Beaver Creek. Shore fishermen often favor the northern part of the reservoir, boat anglers fish just off the bottom in mid-lake. ODNR LAKE INFO

Mosquito Lake

Located in northeastern Ohio, Mosquito Reservoir is considered to be the best inland Walleye fishery in Ohio. Although the average walleye caught is about 15 inches the lake is known for having a large Walleye population and anglers do catch some real trophies. 30 minutes from Youngstown this lake is 7850 acres and considered tough to fish. Mosquito reservoir has dark water and very little underwater structure. ODNR LAKE INFO

Pymatuning Lake

Pymatuning Lake is in southeastern Ashtabula County one mile east of Andover and a mile north of Jamestown PA. Pymatuning was once considered the best inland walleye lake in Ohio. Although still very good Mosquito reservoir is now considered the top destination. Walleye are stocked at Pymatuning yearly and same fishing methods apply as all the other lakes and reservoirs. ODNR LAKE INFO

Berlin Lake

Located in Mahoning, Stark and Portage Counties this lake consists of 3590 acres and is 18 miles long. Berlin is not known for the numbers of Walleye but for larger fish. Berlin has depths to 40 feet, and lots of underwater structure. Bumping the bottom seems to be a favorite method for this lake. ODNR LAKE INFO

Lake Erie is still the Walleye capitol of the world but if you only have a small boat or like to shore fish, one of these lakes and reservoirs could be your answer.

OHIO 2022 FISHING REGULATIONS

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